MIT’s Interruption

The NBA Playoffs

By Eric Rosenblatt

STAFF COLUMNIST

It has been a mad first few games in the NBA playoffs. We have seen eight seeds push one seeds, 40 point performances in every other game, a buzzer-beating-three to win a game, Iverson scoring 55 (56% of his team’s points) in a game to lead his team to a victory, TMac hitting 46 (60% of teams points!) in a game and still losing. I could go on and on. So who’s for real or just waiting for that glass slipper to shatter? (Before I start, I must say that basically all the teams in the East are Cinderellas to win it all, but the Eastern title is still something to shoot for.)

In the East

Philadelphia vs Orlando or Detroit:

If Orlando wins, Orlando will be battle tested and ready. TMac has been unstoppable and it will be up to the rest of his team to hit a few shots to make it competitive. Al has also been heating up and his team, while still less than spectacular, is better than TMac’s. It should be a fun show, but I think the sixers will dominate. 76ers in five.

If Detroit, surviving a first round scare, Big Ben will want to come out and prove it was no fluke being the number one seed. Rick Carlisle, my coach of the year, will have his team very well prepared but I think the fast-paced, transition based offense along with AL tic-tacing his way to the hoop will be too much for the Pistons to handle. 76ers in six.

Boston vs New Jersey:

Paul Pierce is excited and getting wild, and when that happens he hits basically everything. Surprisingly, the Celtics supporting staff is actually supporting the team led by Walter McCarty and Tony Delk who look to be uping their play at the right time. Jason Kidd has had a slow start missing some important shots down the stretch in some game against the Bucks. He was still able to pull it together for NJ but I think the Celtics momentum will carry them through the second round. Celts in six.

In the West

LA vs San Antonio:

No one except Jack Nicholson and the rest of LA wants to see the Lakers go any farther. I am still angry at the calls they got against the Kings. Let’s not go there. While you have to hate the Lakers, you also have to love some of their plays. Kobe has had a few that are unreal including 360 dunks, four-point-clutch plays, and reverse-pump-spin-laugh in awe slams all over seven foot Wolves. Shaq has been Shaq -- what a bore. Fisher has been the X-factor so far for the Lakers and Rick Fox’s absence will not be good for them if they want to seriously challenge San Antonio. For the Spurs, it will all be up to Tony Parker primarily to step it up and humble those Versace wearing Lakers. (I hate doing this.) Lakers in six.

Sac vs Dallas or Portland:

If Dallas, Dallas has shown that it can’t really compete against the really great teams in the league. It couldn’t close it out efficiently against the Blazers and their stars, like Nash, are not performing up to their regular standards. The Kings are focused and Peja is just waiting to hit a few heartbreaking threes to kill Cuban dreams of getting even more attention. Kings in five.